Cebu City Councilor Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella is calling on electric bicycle (e-bike) riders to follow traffic rules after an overloaded e-bike overturned during a traffic enforcement operation in Barangay Calamba, injuring six people.
Labella filed a proposed resolution urging e-bike riders to observe existing regulations, including restrictions on roads where e-bikes are prohibited and limits on the number of passengers they can carry.
The proposal cited the July 14 incident along Katipunan Street in Barangay Calamba, where six people aboard an e-bike were injured after the vehicle overturned while traffic enforcers attempted to flag it down.
“Road accidents such as this highlight the importance of complying with existing traffic laws and regulations,” the resolution stated.
The e-bike was reportedly traveling from Cebu City Medical Center toward Barangay Punta Princesa before dawn when the incident occurred.
The riders were identified as driver “Berto,” 40, and passengers Jeo, 20; Ken, 16; Katie, 17; Lloyd, 20; and Dexter, 17.
All six were brought to a hospital. Berto sustained a head injury and suffered the most serious injuries, while the five passengers sustained minor injuries.
Jeo said the group had come from CCMC after buying medicine and was traveling home when the incident happened.
Katie alleged that a Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) vehicle hit their e-bike, causing it to overturn.
The CCTO driver, identified as “John,” denied the allegation.
John said traffic enforcers were conducting an operation after noticing that the e-bike had exceeded the passenger limit and entered a restricted area.
He said the enforcement team repeatedly signaled the e-bike to stop but the riders allegedly failed to comply.
John said the CCTO vehicle moved ahead to encourage the e-bike to pull over safely. The e-bike instead reportedly passed through a roadside gutter, causing the driver to lose control before it overturned.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit is reviewing closed-circuit television footage to determine what happened before the crash.
Labella’s proposed resolution does not determine who was responsible for the incident.
Instead, it uses the crash to reiterate the need for e-bike riders to comply with traffic regulations.
The proposal asks the Sangguniang Panlungsod to remind e-bike riders to avoid prohibited roads and areas, observe passenger limits and follow instructions from traffic enforcement personnel.
Labella cited the Local Government Code provisions granting local governments authority to promote public safety and the general welfare of residents, as well as the powers of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enact measures for the welfare of the city and its inhabitants.
Photo courtesy of PNA
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